From: amnesty@amnesty.oil.ca
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2000 08:19:58 -0400
Message-Id: <200004071219.IAA07144@amnesty.oil.ca>
To: amnesty-L@oil.ca
Subject: AZERBAIJAN: Journalist detained in self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic -- a blow to freedom of expression
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* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International *
News Service: 67/00
AI Index: EUR 55/01/00
7 April 2000

PUBLIC STATEMENT

AZERBAIJAN

Journalist detained in self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic -- a
blow to freedom of expression

The Karabakh authorities should provide further information on the
detention of journalist Vagram Aghajanian by officials in the self
proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a disputed enclave within
Azerbaijan, Amnesty International urged today.

"If, as some reports reveal, Vagram Aghajanian was detained solely in
connection with recent articles critical of the Karabakhi authorities,
then this would be a serious blow to freedom of expression," the
organization said.

"We would welcome further information on the charges against Vagram
Aghajanian as well as assurances that journalists, and every one else in
Karabakh, are able to voice their opinion without fear of imprisonment."

Vagram Aghajanian was detained on 28 March after officials from the
Karabakh Ministry of Internal Affairs searched his home, reportedly
without presenting a warrant, for items such as arms and drugs. No such
items were found, but Vagram Aghajanian is subsequently said to have
been sentenced to 10 days' administrative detention after being found
guilty of "hampering the implementation of martial law". According to
some reports his articles were regarded by officials as "contributing to
internal tension" and thereby violating a 1999 presidential decree
extending martial law in the region.

Vagram Aghajanian is a correspondent of the Tasnerord naang and Iravunk
newspapers. These publications have recently been supportive of former
Karabakh Minister of Defence Samvel Babaian, who was detained in a wave
of arrests following an armed attack which injured Karabakh President
Arkady Gukasian and two others on 22 March. Among those also detained in
connection with the attack are Samvel Babaian's brother, his
brother-in-law, the head of his bodyguard and two bodyguards.

Amnesty International is calling on the Karabakh authorities to ensure
that all necessary procedures for a fair trial are observed at each
stage of the criminal proceedings into the 22 March attack. Such
procedures include ensuring that all law enforcement officials are aware
of, and adhere to, the absolute prohibition under international law of
torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. They
also include the presumption of innocence, which requires among other
things that public authorities, particularly prosecutors and police,
should not make public statements about the guilt or innocence of an
accused person before the outcome of the trial.

As a result of hostilities the Azerbaijani government is at present
unable to exercise de facto control over the disputed Karabakh region,
and adjacent territories currently under Karabakhi control. Amnesty
International addresses authorities in this region as those with de
facto control (and responsibility) over the area, and not as a
recognition of their status de jure.

ENDS.../
Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street,
WC1X 8DJ, London, United Kingdom
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